5 bold predictions for San Francisco 49ers in 2021

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers argues a pass interference call during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 05, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on after the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The 49ers have a Super Bowl-caliber roster with a big question at quarterback. Here are five bold predictions on how San Francisco’s 2021 season will go.

Kyle Shanahan only managed to squeeze six wins out of his talented roster in 2020, but San Francisco still enters the 2021 campaign as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The 49ers have one of the most talented rosters in the league, but they desperately need to upgrade their quarterback play if they want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy when all is said and done this season.

Jimmy Garoppolo was supposed to be San Francisco’s big answer at quarterback, but his erratic play and injury history may have him on the outs with Shanahan and his staff. There are strong rumors that the 49ers are going to use the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft on a new signal-caller of both the present and future.

The big question on the defensive side of the ball for San Francisco is how the unit will react to the departure of coordinator Robert Saleh. DeMeco Ryans has big shoes to fill in that regard. Even so, the 49ers have the talent to forge a top-10 unit if they can stay healthy.

It’s too early to say it’s Super Bowl or bust for San Francisco in 2021, but that’s clearly the goal Shanahan has in mind. Here are five bold predictions on how the ‘Niners season is going to go down.

5. Alex Mack will get benched

The 49ers didn’t invest a ton to lock up Mack in free agency, but expecting him to hold up over a full 17-game season at 35 years of age is still a mistake. He would have been a perfect fit for San Francisco’s offense in his prime, but he’s clearly well past that stage of his career.

As such, Mack is going to get benched before Week 10. It won’t be a big storyline in San Francisco, but it will help stabilize the team’s offensive line. Mack will stick on the roster for the remainder of the season, but he’s speeding towards retirement the moment the offseason arrives.